Banshee has the destiny to be a concept forever

It is a common thing if the car manufacturer to build a concept car first before deciding to make the final model that will go into the production line. As we all know and understand, that of the many concept cars that have been made by world-renowned car manufacturers, not all of them are made into the production versions. Even, there is a concept car that has been made in a series over a long period of time.

The sketches of Pontiac Banshee concept I and II. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2xpXZrz)

Here's an example that we'll be made as a topic in this article, ie the Pontiac Banshee Concept series. This concept car series is known to have been made by Pontiac, one of the American car manufacturers under the General Motors management flag for 24 years from 1964 to 1988.

During those periods, Pontiac is known to have made the Banshee concepts as many as 4 models but none of them been made as to the production models. A bit sad for a model that had all the potential, but never quite made it for a number of reasons.

1. Pontiac Banshee I

The first concept car model was completed by this American car manufacturer in 1964, it was also known as the Pontiac XP-833. This concept car was built after John DeLorean, who was then the Pontiac Motor Division head, approved the concept design funding in 1963. 

1964 Pontiac Banshee I XP-833 prototype. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Vhs4Sc)

It was also said that the concept car was originally influenced by the Corvair Monza GT and rear-mounted transaxle. In the development process, this two-seater sports car has been built two units. The first car uses a 326ci (5,300cc) V8 engine while the last car (released in 1966) uses a 230ci (3,700cc) overhead cam-six engine, but with a tame one-barrel carburetor.

Rear three quarter of 1964 Pontiac Banshee I XP-833 prototype. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2wylZIN)

Unfortunately, when the XP-833 concept cars were shown to the top GM executives, the whole project was stopped. Some say it was caused by the XP-833 predicted to be able to beat the Corvette in the market, which was known in the time to be a mainstay of GM's products, while others said it was because the early 60s sports car market was nowhere near as mature as it should have been. Luckily, both vehicles were tucked away and saved from the crusher and remain now as ultra collector's items.

2. Pontiac Banshee II

Then the second model mentioned also still bears the name Pontiac Banshee reportedly completed in 1968. The bright orange colored car depicted as an open-top sports car with a design not too much different from its predecessor.

1968 Pontiac Banshee II concept. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2USMzFK)

This open-top sports car has an aerodynamic body made of fiberglass and sat over Firebird innards, with cut-down glass and low ground clearance. And under the hood pinned a 400ci (6,500cc) V8 engine.

Rear left view of 1968 Pontiac Banshee II concept. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2USMzFK)

The car also is known as the Firebird Fiero was given a touch of white paint and graphics in 1969, which was borrowed later on for its own model.

3. Pontiac Banshee III

In 1974 the third incarnation of the Banshee was put together. By design, it looks like a sort of squished Trans-Ams from the front because it was based on the Pontiac Firebird platform with a long sloping front end and more aerodynamic rear styling.  

1974 Pontiac Banshee III concept. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ccJcPK)

The front was a smooth blend of bumper sheet metal and covered quartz halogen headlamps for improved aerodynamics and the rear was almost similar to Vette. While its quartz halogen rectangular headlamps had a three-beam system, ie low, freeway and high. 

Right side view of 1974 Pontiac Banshee III concept. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ccJcPK)

The car also featured the soft face bumper system consisted of body color urethane over an energy-absorbing foam base. The interior had red leather upholstery. The rear seat folded for additional luggage space and the seat harness system was anchored in the structural seat. 

Rear-left side view of 1974 Pontiac Banshee III concept. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ccJcPK)

Under the hood was embedded a Pontiac 455ci (7,400cc) Super Duty V8 engine and all finished off in metallic maroon. It had four slit style taillights, but these became twenty “high-tech, round-hole” taillights when it was updated in 1976 and 1978.

4. Pontiac Banshee IV

The last version of the Banshee concept rolled out in 1988. The Banshee IV looks like some kind of an alien spaceship even if it showed off today in 2020. The futuristic concept car appeared in a fiberglass body, tubular steel frame, triangular hood, not to forget it has a futuristic interior, also featured with flush-mounted glass, and doors with no handles. Specifically, its doors even opened via an infrared wristwatch sized device.

1988 Pontiac Banshee IV concept. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ccJcPK)

Under the hood, there are a 4.0-liters, dual overhead cam V8 engine with 230 horsepower ran through a five-speed manual transmission. Inside was a head-up display, under which was a virtual image of the analog cluster, steering wheel controls, television monitors for rearview traffic, headrest-mounted radio speakers. 

Rear-left side view of 1988 Pontiac Banshee IV concept. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2RzCxYe)

Other sophisticated features like memory switches, electrically tilting steering column and memory adjustable front seats all added to the Banshee futuristic concept.

Ultimately, the Banshee IV influenced much of the fourth generation Firebird and fourth generation Camaro. But the concept car also influences the mainstream. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FASTMUSCLECARS | CARSTYLING.RU | OLDCONCEPTCARS]

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